Tottenham sign Netherlands international Arnaut Danjuma on loan from Villarreal as Antonio Conte bolsters attack

Tottenham Hotspur have signed forward Arnaut Danjuma on loan from Villarreal until the end of the season, the Premier League club announced on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old becomes Spurs’ first January signing as Antonio Conte looks to reinforce his squad for the second half of the season.

A versatile forward who can play through the middle or out wide, Danjuma impressed with Villarreal over the last season-and-a-half.

The six-time Netherlands international scored 16 goals in 34 games in all competitions last season, helping the Spanish side make an unexpected run to the Champions League semi-finals.

Danjuma scored six goals on that run, including a brace against Atalanta in the group stage and knockout-round strikes against Juventus and Bayern Munich.

He then notched six goals in 17 appearances for the La Liga side this year to earn a mid-season switch to Spurs.

This won’t be Danjuma’s first taste of English football, as he spent two seasons with Bournemouth between 2019 and 2021, winning the club’s Player of the Year award in 2020/21 while they were in the Championship.

The Dutchman adds more strength in depth to a struggling Spurs attack, joining top scorer Harry Kane, Heung-min Son, Bryan Gil, Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison.

Spurs have slid from third to fifth in the last three months after a patchy run of form in which they’ve lost five of their last 10 Premier League games.

But Spurs remain in fifth place, three points outside the Champions League spots, having played a game more than fourth-placed Manchester United.

The north London side face Preston North End in the FA Cup on Saturday, before hosting Manchester City in the Premier League.